Peter Gutwein and Elise Archer appear to be at odds over the site of a new maximum security prison in northern Tasmania.
Labor Member for Lyons Jen Butler said while the new Premier seems to be wobbling on Westbury, a letter from Elise Archer shows it’s the only option the government is serious about.
“When asked about the site for the northern prison last week, Peter Gutwein said it was only a preferred site.
“For the new Premier, it’s not ‘Westbury or bust’.
“He may need an update from his factional rival Elise Archer, who’s written to the Westbury community saying that all other sites considered by the government have ‘significant deficiencies’.”
Ms Butler said Elise Archer used those deficiencies to explain away why no communities other than Westbury have been involved in consultation over the site of the northern prison.
“With work already occurring on the Westbury site, it’s obvious the government is progressing its preferred option, regardless of what Peter Gutwein might think.
“He can’t sit on the fence in the face of his minister’s frank admission to the Westbury community, but he will pay dearly if he doesn’t come down hard in favour of choosing a different site.”
Jen Butler
Labor Member for Lyons
